The best truck ladder racks enhance the capability of your truck to carry more cargo. It becomes convenient to put heavy equipment like a canoe or kayak on the pickup truck. You will also be able to dedicate the truck bed to carry lighter equipment.
Why Use Truck Ladder Racks?
Ladder racks are an essential accessory; you can use to transport and store large items. You will be able to optimize the space in your truck using this accessory. Space is often limited in trucks. The truck ladder racks will enable you to make efficient use of this space. Loading and unloading of goods and equipment are also comfortable.
Benefits of Ladder Racks
Here are some of the most common advantages to using the best truck ladder racks.
1. Efficiency
A good truck ladder rack will make the difference between one and many trips you might have to take to transport things. You will be able to save time and fuel when you can cart many things simultaneously.
2. Convenience
After you fix the rack, you will be able to use it any way you want. You will be able to use the maximum cargo-carrying capacity of your truck.
3. Extra Space
The best aspect of investing in a ladder rack is that you will get extra space. You can use the space saved to transport bulky and large items that don't fit the truck.
4. Better Organization
When you put the bulky load on the roof rack, you will get more room to organize small things. When you are better organized, you will be able to carry many items in your heavy duty truck.
5. Add Value
The truck rack will add value to your truck. The extra space you have created in the truck will help increase the sale price.
6. Cost-Effective
Installing a truck ladder is more cost-effective than buying another pickup truck.
Different Types of Truck Ladder Racks
First it's important to understand the different types that are on offer.
1. Over-Cab
The over-cab is a type of ladder rack that gets installed on a cab. When you opt for this type of frame on your cab, you will carry long cargo. The over-cab gets fixed permanently. You won't be able to make any kind of adjustments to the rack system.
The scope of use is also limited when you compare it to an over-bed truck rack. If you want flexibility with this rack, opt for a removable or adjustable extension.
2. Over-Bed
The rack system design gets done so that it sits on the truck's bed. Using C-clamps, you can mount the over-bed to the wall of the truck bed. You can also choose to drill holes so that you can bolt the rack into the bed of the truck.
Over-beds are convenient for carrying large items. It helps keep the heavy duty truck bed clear. You will be getting usable and practical storage at a height you can access.
3. Side Mount
Side mount truck ladder racks will fit on the side of the truck. Ideal choice for carrying long and narrow items like rolls of carpet and ladders. You should ensure that you don't load more than 500 pounds for your safety reasons.
The most weight of 500 pounds will depend on the weight and size of your vehicle. If you have an odd-shaped cargo, you will find it difficult to tie it down.
4. Tonneau Cover
Tonneau covers help protect the cargo against rain, snow and other adverse weather conditions. The Tonneau cover rack will help you haul extra cargo at the same time.
5. Van Racks
You will be able to mount the van racks to the roof of the van. You can either bolt it to the top or attach it temporarily to the drip wells. A wide variety of van racks are available, and you can choose as per your needs.
The other type of rack you choose to includes the fold down ladder rack. The design makes it easy to get the ladders on and off the van. Using the rack system, you can bring the ladder to a comfortable height and safely unload and load.
The commercial truck ladder racks are available in a variety of quality styles. You can use the rack in both mid-size and full-size trucks. Long and heavy loads can be easily transported in commercial heavy duty trucks.
How to Choose the Right Truck Ladder Rack - Things to Consider
There are various things that you will have to consider when buying a truck ladder rack. Gaining knowledge about these factors will enable you to make an informed choice.
1. Cargo/Load
If you buy a rack with low weight capacity, it will be of no use. Before you start purchasing a rack system, it is best to learn the type of items you will be transporting and how much they weigh.
Apart from weight, it would be best if you also learned about the item width and how many times you will be moving it. Always take a look at the rack specifications listed by the manufacturer. You will learn about cargo capacity, item width and usage limitations.
Make use of this information to decide on the type of cargo you can load on the rack. Each rack manufacturer provides information on the maximum load capacity. You should avoid carrying more load than the specified quantity.
2. Truck Type
The type of truck you own will help determine the type of rack you can buy. Depending on your vehicle, there are several different types available in the market. If you have a small truck, it is best to choose a small truck ladder rack. You can fix a big rack on a giant truck.
Avoid trying to fix a big rack on a small truck as it will cause instability and affect your safety on the road. Manufacturers also make specialized cargo carrying system for some trucks. The specialized racks are often used to carry items that will not fit a standard rack.
3. Safety
It is always advisable to stay away from truck racks that are not safe. Do adequate research about the different types of racks and their safety features. It will help you make an informed choice.
You need to look for the essential safety features when buying. The safety features include sturdiness, locking mechanism, how it secures trucks, and attachment style.
4. Installation
The installation process will vary depending on the type of rack you have selected. In some instances, you will have to drill holes in the truck bed so that you can bolt down the rack.
There are some models where C-clamps get used. You won't be making any lasting alterations when you use C-clamps. When you buy a truck ladder rack, you should check whether it comes with all the mounting brackets.
You might need extra fittings to complete the installation in some cases. Read the installation instructions so that you can get the rack fixed on your truck.
5. Durability
Truck ladder racks get exposed to the elements when in use. Dirt, dust, snow, and rain comes in contact with the rack. All these elements can affect the durability of the rack system.
When choosing racks for your trucks, you should ensure that they are water-resistant. Aluminum material is mostly water-resistant, and steel is sturdy. A combination of both materials will be the best choice for durability.
6. Material
Aluminum is light, and steel is strong. Steel is also heavy. A rack made from steel will be sturdy compared to aluminum. When you install a rack made from the lightweight material, you will get better mileage performance.
You can also choose a rack made from both aluminum and steel. The material combination (steel and aluminum) will be able to prevent rust and corrosion and also carry a heavy load. Suitable quality steel get coated with black powder to prevent rust. You will have to re-coat the racks at regular intervals to help maintain its finish and avoid corrosion.
7. Warranty
Warranty is another feature that you need to pay attention to when buying a rack. A warranty for one or two years and above is the standard offered by most manufacturers.
If there is any kind of problem with the rack, it will get covered. Product warranty will give you complete peace of mind. You will get value for money invested.
8. Product Price
Affordability is a significant factor when it comes to choosing truck racks. Always select a rack made of quality materials. Even though they will cost more than the cheap ones, they will also last long.
Never opt for cheap cargo systems as they are not made from right materials. The construction is also sub-standard. If you opt for them, they will not last as long. The ladder racks are available in the budget, mid-range and premium ranges. You can make a choice as per your individual budget.
Check Out the 6 Best Truck Ladder Racks
Let's get in to the reviews of the top options available.
1. AA-Racks Truck Rack (X31)
The AA-Racks (X31) are a rugged truck rack capable of taking a load of 800 lbs. The design of the rack is extendable. It makes it a perfect fit for all types of trucks. The bent steel design makes the ladder rack sturdy. The t-sleeve bar ensures that the rack resists flexing and bending under pressure.
AA racks has been specifically created to take the weight. No drilling required for installation. A set of eight C-clamps included with the rack to complete the installation process. The front rope hook design provides security for tying the cargo load.
This heavy-duty steel constructed rack is an ideal carrier for lumber, ladders, piping, sports equipment, rebar, and other long cargo materials. The arms can get extended from 19 – 34 inches.
The unique design of the rack helps maximize space. You will be able to accommodate more gear in your truck. The ladder rack provides good stability as it gets bolted into the bed rails. The rack has many tie-down points, and it helps in securing the load better. However, the powder coated finish delivers more durability.
This TMS utility ladder truck rack is multi-functional. The rack's unique design helps haul larger and more oversized items that don't fit the average pickup truck. The sturdy frame is easy to install and offers a weight capacity of 800 lbs.
There is a set of two bars making it a perfect choice for hauling pipes, lumber, ladders, and pool equipment. The rack is usually installed 30 inches above the truck bed. You can adjust the width from 5 – 7 feet. The adjustable width enables it to fit different truck size beds.
The installation of the truck ladder rack 30 inches above the bed of the truck frees much needed space. Depending on the type of truck you own the installation can be done less than 30 inches too. The ladder rack is rust resistant.
Mounting brackets included for installation. You might have to drill two holes on the side of the truck bed. It will help in bolting the crossbars on. You will be able to complete the installation process with C-clamps.
This heavy-duty steel rack helps transport kayaks, building materials, and ladders with ease. The weight capacity of 800 pounds makes it one of the best racks to carry heavy cargo for a long ride.
The truck rack helps hold the cargo over the height of the full size truck. It helps provide the front and back clearance. It ensures that the truck bed is empty and can use it to store and transport other items.
The four adjustable load support brackets help in accommodating most pickup trucks (short and full beds). The clamp-on design makes installation easy. Drilling not required to complete the installation process.
The commercial truck ladder rack is capable of hauling 1000 lbs. Its heavy steel construction makes it an ideal choice for contractors, home artisans, and shop owners to carry large cargo loads.
The universal design of the rack fits both short and long bed trucks. The rack has many tie-down points. You can make use of these points to secure the cargo. You can adjust the feet and leg of the truck rack to secure the cargo. Also, you will be able to customize it as per your specific needs.
Installation and removal are easy. Most truck owners prefer to remove the rack when not in use. The powder coated paint helps prevent corrosion and rust. You can adjust the center brace to ensure equal distribution of cargo load.
The AA-Racks are different from most racks available in the market. Its heavy-duty AA racks helps haul up to 800 pounds. The rack system's universal design ensures that it fits all types of trucks (short and long bed trucks).
The ladder rack is 28 inches tall and 71 inches wide. Even though it is not made of steel, the aluminum construction is sturdy. The lightweight frame will be able to haul a lot of cargo. You will be able to install the truck ladder rack into the bed without any drilling.
In Conclusion
It is always best to buy a versatile truck rack to transport different things with ease. When you choose such a rack system, you will be able to haul heavy and long cargo. Also, when transporting cargo, the one thing that matters is the safety of the ladder rack.
When you buy a rack with secure attachments, you will be able to ensure the safety of the cargo it transports. Buy truck racks with the right design and material. If the rack is poorly designed, it can fall on the road, which can be hazardous for everyone.
Universal ladder truck racks are versatile and will fit most type of trucks (full size and semi truck). Customized truck ladder racks are not adaptable. Custom racks get built to fit a particular pickup truck. Choosing a universal design is beneficial as you can load the cargo in any truck.
The best truck ladder racks are available in different styles to suit your truck. Knowing the things, you need to look out for when buying will help you choose wisely. From our analysis, the best truck rack is the AA-Racks Truck Rack (X31). The X31 model is the preferred choice, as it is durable and sturdy.